Ohio should start from scratch on facial-recognition safeguards

Wednesday

Nov 6, 2013 at 1:30 PM

Thank you for your excellent coverage of Ohio's new facial-recognition system. You are absolutely correct — the new system definitely needs input from the public (editorial, "There's still a need for public input," Oct. 28).

But it also needs serious, immediate reforms, and while the task force that was supposed to make improvements recommended some good steps, it did not go nearly far enough.

Other states that have set up these systems have been careful to protect their citizens' security and privacy. Almost all have limited access to the system to a small group of trained officials. Those officials receive requests from agencies that need a search done, and conduct those searches only when appropriate.

This type of approach creates the appropriate checks and balances, oversight and accountability.

Under Mike DeWine, Ohio has done the exact opposite. It currently allows access for more than 25,000 people to conduct searches whenever they want — no requests necessary, no paper trail, no checks and balances. So far, thousands beyond law enforcement and hundreds in other states have been able to conduct face-check searches.

Even if the task force's recommendations are adopted and implemented, still thousands in Ohio will have direct access to the face-check program. Again, no paper trail. No checks and balances.

It's a deeply flawed approach. Rather than tinkering with the current, deeply flawed approach, Ohio is better off starting from scratch and using best practices from other states.

That's why I proposed a simple five-point plan to fix this program. It is based on what is working elsewhere and common sense to provide the needed security and accountability.

Most attorneys general spend their time fighting to protect their citizens' privacy and security. The last thing Ohio needs is a flawed face-check system run by the attorney general that threatens both.

Let's fix the system — immediately.

DAVID PEPPER,

CINCINNATI

Editor's note: The writer is a Democratic candidate for Ohio attorney general in the 2014 election. Mike DeWine, a Republican, is the current attorney general.